Brilliant film becomes not-so-riveting game shocker!

It would be fair to say Robots was one of the most stunningly animated films we've ever seen. It's a shame, then, that this amiable platformer doesn't look quite as slick as its celluloid counterpart. Sure, all the environments are pretty, from the expansive, impressive backdrop of Robot City to individual platforming setpieces, but the characters, especially lead C:3PO-a-like Rodney, could do with some rust remover and a squirt of WD40.

And so we follow Rodders on his adventures in the big smoke, in a script loosely complementing that of the film. Missions invariably involve talking to a fellow inhabitant, then carrying out a generic collecting task for them. Rodney has a fairly comprehensive inventory of gadgets and weapons to make nuts and bolts of his enemies, powered by the endless amount of scrap lying around. Retro-style vending machines allow tons of different upgrades, most notably for your flying sidekick Wonderbot, who can be programmed to pick up valuable scrap, or steered into inaccessible areas via remote control to pull levers and push buttons.

Although Rodney may be suitably animated, the awful camera really ruins the entire experience. Intrusive, awkward and painfully slow to rotate, it's hugely frustrating. Platform-jumping is tricky as it is, but if you get attacked from behind by an enemy, forget it - you'll lose half your health before even getting into a viable firing position.

Of course, every movie tie-in comes with the obligatory slew of video clips, unlocked during the game or purchased with scrap if you're lazy, but that's your lot. The game lacks the vocal talent of the film, but it would have taken more than that to rescue this from the junkyard of mediocrity. Not complete scrap, but no shiny example of AI either.

Smattered with nice touches, Robots' cogs don't turn too smoothly thanks to poor animation and an infuriating camera.